12 DIY Halloween costumes for kids, babies and grown-ups

Halloween is just a few weeks away, and whether you’re planning to go trick-or-treating, host a party or simply dress up for a family movie night, it’s time to think about costumes. Store-bought outfits are often flimsy, pricey and worn by half the kids on the block, which is exactly why I love DIY Halloween costumes: they’re more original, they can be made from things you already have at home, and making them together is half the fun. Find more spooky inspiration in our Halloween decor ideas.

To kick off the season, I’ve gathered 12 DIY Halloween costume ideas from creative bloggers, for kids, babies and grown-ups. From a cardboard Tin Man to a family of robots, you’re bound to find the right costume among these tutorials. For each one you’ll find a short description, a few practical tips and a link to the full tutorial. Once the costumes are sorted, check out my DIY Halloween decorations and DIY pumpkin ideas, or browse more DIY projects.

DIY Halloween costumes for kids

Let’s start with the kids, who are usually the most excited about Halloween. I loved these tutorials because they’re really original yet easy to copy. A good tip before you start: build the costume over comfortable clothes like a sweatsuit or leggings, so your child stays warm and can move, sit and climb stairs easily.

1. Silver Tin Man body tube with a funnel hat and red heart © A Pumpkin and a Princess
2. White unicorn hoodie with a pink yarn mane and gold horn © Craftaholics Anonymous

Off to see the Wizard! This Tin Man costume uses a silver body made from a cardboard tube or poster board, a gray sweatsuit, a funnel hat and a little red heart. A bit of silver face paint and a cardboard axe complete the look. Size the body tube so it sits between the armpits and the hips: measure around your child’s chest, add a few inches for ease, and check that they can bend their knees and sit while wearing it. Cover sharp cardboard edges with duct tape so they don’t scratch arms.

See the tutorial on A Pumpkin and a Princess

This unicorn costume starts with a plain white hoodie and pants. A mane and tail made of pink and purple yarn loops, felt ears and a gold horn are sewn or glued on. It’s cozy for cold Halloween nights, and the hoodie can be worn again afterward. Choose a hoodie one size up if your child will wear a coat or warm layers underneath. Yarn loops can be tied onto a strip of felt first, then the strip is stitched along the hood seam, which is quicker than attaching each loop individually and holds up better to tugging.

See the tutorial on Craftaholics Anonymous

3. Giant marbled milkshake cup piled with candy and sprinkles © Hello Wonderful
4. Gray zombie makeup with a stitched scar and pale eyes © Cuckoo 4 Design

Sweet tooth? This over-the-top unicorn milkshake costume is a giant painted cup topped with a whipped-cream collar, candy, sprinkles, a straw and a lollipop. Lightweight materials like a large plastic or cardboard drum, foam and felt keep it easy to wear. Whatever you build it from, attach it with wide shoulder straps (ribbon or elastic) so the weight rests on the shoulders, and keep the top opening roomy enough for the arms to move freely. Bulky costumes like this one are best for parties and photos rather than a long walk around the neighborhood.

See the tutorial on Hello Wonderful

Sometimes you only need makeup. This zombie look uses gray and white face paint, dark shading around the eyes and a fake scar. Always use cosmetic-grade face paint made for skin, and test it on a small patch of your child’s arm a day or two before Halloween. Build the look in layers: a light gray base all over, darker gray or purple in the hollows of the cheeks and around the eyes, then the scar details. A setting spray or a dusting of translucent powder helps it last through an evening of trick-or-treating.

See the tutorial on Cuckoo 4 Design

How to make a DIY Halloween costume for a baby

If you’re planning a little family party for Halloween, here’s how to dress up the littlest members of the family. I found some lovely ideas for babies online. Keep them simple: choose soft, breathable fabrics, avoid small parts that could come loose (buttons, beads, pompoms), skip anything tight around the neck, and never cover a baby’s face. Plan a costume that opens easily for diaper changes, such as a onesie with snaps, and have a spare plain outfit ready in case the evening runs long.

5. Navy jumpsuit with NASA patches for a tiny astronaut © Lovely Indeed
6. Matching mermaid costumes with an iridescent baby tail © A Beautiful Mess

Houston, we have a cutie! This baby astronaut costume is a navy jumpsuit with iron-on patches and red socks for space boots. It’s comfy enough for crawling and playing all evening. If you can’t find a ready-made jumpsuit, a navy or white sweatsuit works just as well. Iron-on patches are easy to apply with a household iron; press through a thin cloth and let them cool before moving the fabric so the adhesive sets.

See the tutorial on Lovely Indeed

This mermaid costume is designed for mom and baby to match: a shimmering iridescent tail for the little one and a shell top and pink wig for the parent. Matching family costumes make great photos and are a fun way to include the baby in the celebration. A tail for a baby should be soft and loose, sewn from stretchy or lightweight fabric, and sized so the legs can still kick freely. Remove it for car seats and naps.

See the tutorial on A Beautiful Mess

7. Superhero onesies with felt capes and a curly wig © The House That Lars Built
8. Black-spotted onesie with a felt udder and cow-ear hat © Make It Love It

Little heroes! These baby superhero costumes are made from plain onesies with felt logos, capes and masks. Felt doesn’t fray, so it’s easy to cut and stitch or glue on, and you can make one for every baby in the family. Velcro-backed capes are safer than ones tied at the neck, and a mask is best kept just for a quick photo, since babies shouldn’t wear anything over their faces for long.

See the tutorial on The House That Lars Built

Finally, how cute is this baby cow? A white onesie gets black felt spots and a pink felt udder, and a matching hat with ears finishes the look. Sew the spots on rather than gluing them if the onesie will go through the wash. Freezer-paper stencils and fabric paint are another option for the spots: iron the stencil on, paint, peel it off, and heat-set the paint once dry.

See the tutorial on Make It Love It

DIY Halloween costumes for adults and families

After the kids, this last selection is for the grown-ups. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a creation here for you, and several of them work as group or family costumes. For a party, plan for comfort: you’ll want to be able to sit, eat and get through doorways. And if you’re hosting, my Halloween printables can help with invitations and decor.

9. Red and white stripes and bobble hats for a family of Waldos © Lovely Indeed
10. A family of cardboard robots in teal, pink, orange and yellow © Tell Love and Party

Where’s Waldo? Right here, times three! This family costume only needs red and white striped shirts, bobble hats, round glasses and jeans, so it comes together fast with a few thrifted pieces. If you can’t find striped shirts, white tees and red fabric tape or paint can create the stripes. Add a cane or a camera as props, and this costume adapts to any size group, from a couple to a whole class.

See the tutorial on Lovely Indeed

These robot costumes are made of cardboard boxes painted in bright colors, with boxy arms and legs and silver details for the bolts and joints. Cut generous arm holes and a wide head opening so everyone can see and move easily. Lightweight boxes are best, and painting them before cutting the openings is easier. Hold the pieces on with shoulder straps rather than glue to clothing, and test the whole outfit with a walk around the house before the big night.

See the tutorial on Tell Love and Party

11. A hot dog flanked by ketchup and mustard in matching hats © Studio DIY
12. Terracotta pot with tall felt snake-plant leaves © A Beautiful Mess

Perfect for three friends: a hot dog flanked by ketchup and mustard. The hot dog is a felt tunic with a bun and a wavy mustard line, while simple red and yellow dresses with bottle-shaped hats complete the trio. The hats are cones of craft foam or felt on headbands. Group costumes like this are easy to coordinate because each person makes just one simple piece.

See the tutorial on Studio DIY

Plant lovers, this one’s for you: a flowerpot “boxtume” made from a cardboard box painted terracotta, with tall felt snake-plant leaves sprouting from the top. A watering can makes the perfect accessory, and the costume is easy to slip on and off. Felt leaves will droop if they’re too long; glue a piece of floral wire or a strip of craft foam inside each one so they stand upright.

See the tutorial on A Beautiful Mess

Fabrics, face paint and safety tips for trick-or-treating

Before you head out, check a few practical points. Flame-resistant fabrics like polyester and nylon are safer than loose cotton gauze, and hems should stop above the ankles so no one trips. Choose face paint over masks when possible, since masks can block vision. For trick-or-treating after dark, add reflective tape to costumes and bags and give each child a flashlight or glow stick. Finally, make sure shoes fit well and props like swords or axes are soft and flexible.